An assessment of European bream Abramis brama (Linnaeus, 1758) fishery in the downstream of the Irtysh River in China

Abstract

Per-recruit analyses, with consideration for uncertainty in growth, natural mortality and maturity, were conducted for European bream Abramis brama in the downstream section of the Irtysh River in China to assess its status. The Chapman-Robson method produced an estimate of total mortality rate (Z) of 0.65 year−1. The natural mortality rates (M) were estimated as 0.13 and 0.26 year−1, resulting in corresponding estimates of current fishing mortality rate (Fcur) of 0.52 and 0.39 year−1, respectively. All the estimates of yield per recruit (YPR), spawning stock biomass per recruit (SSB/R) and corresponding biological reference points (BRPs) were sensitive to M. The uncertainty of growth and maturity parameters had limited impacts on the estimates of BRPs, but had a large effect on the YPR and SSB/R outputs. Our findings indicate that A. brama may be at higher risk of growth overfishing than those of recruitment overfishing. In addition, increasing the tc to nine years might ensure that the spawning potential ratios (SPRs) are above the management targets under all ranges of F with comparatively small impacts on YPR regardless of M. In addition to providing a basic assessment for A. brama in the downstream of the Irtysh River in China, our study presents a comprehensive approach that may be useful for data-limited species in other fisheries.